[Ichthyology • 2020] Limia mandibularis • A New Livebearing Fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) from Lake Miragoane, Haiti

Limia mandibularis 

 Rodriguez-Silva, Torres-Pineda & Josaphat, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.3.6

Abstract

Limia mandibularis, a new livebearing fish of the family Poeciliidae is described from Lake Miragoane in southwestern Haiti on Hispaniola. The new species differs from all other species in the genus Limia by the presence of a well-developed lower jaw, the absence of preorbital and preopercular pores, and preorbital and preopercular canals forming an open groove each. The description of this new Limia species from Lake Miragoane confirms this lake as an important center of endemism for the genus with a total of nine described species so far.

Keywords: Pisces, Caribbean, jaw, morphology, endemism, preopercular canal

FIGURE 6. Female of Limia mandibularis sp. nov. (48.5 mm SL) showing coloration in a live specimen.

Limia mandibularis, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Limia mandibularis sp. nov. is uniquely diagnosed by the presence of a well-developed lower jaw due to the presence of an elongate anguloarticular bone (Fig. 3). The new species can also be identified by the lack of preorbital and preopercular pores and by the presence of single preorbital and preopercular canals forming open grooves (Fig. 4). Limia mandibularis sp. nov. can be further distinguished by the combination of the following characters: dorsal fin with 8 rays and its origin is slightly behind of the origin of the anal fin in females; 13 predorsal scales; caudal fin symmetrical and truncate or slightly convex; no crossbars, spots or blotches on body in both sexes. ...

FIGURE 7. Habitat where Limia mandibularis sp. nov. was collected. 

Distribution and ecological notes. Limia mandibularis sp. nov. is only known from the north bight of Lake Miragoane in Haiti. The lake seems very isolated in terms of connectivity with other water bodies as we did not see any tributary river or stream, but only mountain springs that lead to the lake. Our observations agree with the classification of Curtis & Hodell (1993) of the lake as an endorheic drainage. The species herein described was collected in a clear water path with slow current exiting the lake. Water temperature was 29.9 °C and water conductivity was 321 microS/cm on the collecting date (June 5th, 2019). The area is characterized by the presence of muddy bottoms and some semi-submerged and submerged vegetation growing near the banks (Fig. 7). Limia mandibularis was sympatric with Gambusia beebei, five other Limia species (L. miragoanensis, L. immaculata, L. nigrofasciata, L. garnieri and L. islai), Nandopsis haitiensis and two species of African cichlids introduced in the lake (Oreochromis aureus and Tilapia sp.). 

Etymology. The specific epithet mandibularis, from the Latin mandibula (jaw), is in reference to the well-developed lower jaw, a character that distinguishes the species.

 The vernacular name “Jawed Limia” is proposed for this species, due to the distinct protuberance that can be seen in the lower jaw.

Rodet Rodriguez-Silva, Patricia Torres-Pineda and James Josaphat. 2020. Limia mandibularis, A New Livebearing Fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) from Lake Miragoane, Haiti. Zootaxa. 4768(3); 395–404. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.3.6

     

[Botany • 2020] Gastrodia gunatillekeorum (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) • A New Species from A Lowland Rainforest of Sri Lanka

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar

in Bandara, Priyankara, Atthanagoda, ... et Kumar, 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.436.1.5

Abstract

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum, a new species in the family Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from a tropical lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is morphologically close to G. spatulata which is endemic to Indonesia owing to the white flower front with yellowish-orange colour on the inner wall of perianth tube and free part of perianth tube reflexed backwards. However, these two species can be very well differentiated on the basis of spathulate to linear petals which are shorter than sepals, fused only at the base and present inside the perianth tube; labellum elongate-elliptic and column broadest in the middle part in G. spatulata, whereas petals as long as sepals with apical 1/3rd part free (rest fused with sepals) and reflexed backwards, labellum rhomboid in shape, column broadest towards the apex in G. gunatillekeorum. Taxonomic account, line drawing, color photographs and conservation assessment are provided for the new species.

Keywords: Conservation, holomycoheterotrophic, potato orchid, Sinharaja MAB reserve, Neoclemensia, Monocots

FIGURE 1. Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar sp. nov.
A. Plant (CB-201804-01-Holotype). B. Flowering plant. C. Front view of flower. D. Lateral view of flower. E. Dorsal view of flower. F. Flower bud with bract. G. Side view of lip and column. H. Ventral view of column. I. Dorsal view of lip. J. Dorsal view of column. K. Ventral view of lip. L. Capsule. M. Tuberous rhizome

(Scale bar = A-F 10 mm; G-K 5 mm; L,M 10 mm). 

Photographs by Champika Bandara (A-L) and Anusha G. Atthanagoda (M).

FIGURE 2. Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar sp. nov.
A. A flowering plant. B. Lateral view of flower. C. Dorsal view of flower. D. Front view of flower. E. Side view of lip and column. F. Ventral view of lip. G. Dorsal view of lip. H. Ventral view of column. I. Dorsal view of column. J. Dorsal view of anther cap. K. Ventral view of anther cap. L. Pollinia. M. Plant with fruits. N. Close up of fruit.

 Illustrations by Champika Bandara and Pankaj Kumar.

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Gastrodia gunatillekeorum is close to Gastrodia spatulata, in  having  white  coloured  free frontal  lobes of the perianth tube and yellow-orange colouration on the inner side of the perianth tube however, the former can be distinguished from latter in having perianth tube formed by fusion of both petals and sepals to almost 2/3rd of their length with 1/3rd of the apical lobe broadly ovate and slightly reflexed backwards (against perianth tube made mainly of sepals, with much shorter spathulate to linear petals fused to the sepals only at the base and upper part lying within the perianth tube in latter); labellum rhomboid shaped (against elongate-elliptic); column broadest towards the centre (against broadest towards the apex) and U-shaped stigma (against V-shaped).

 Etymology: The species epithet is an eponym in the Latin genitive plural honouring the pioneer forest ecologists of Sri Lanka, Prof. Nimal Gunatilleke and Prof. Savitri Gunatilleke (University of Peradeniya) in appreciation of their dedication and decades of philanthropic work on the forest ecology and conservation in the region. 

FIGURE 3. The typical habitat of Gastrodia gunatillekeorum; deep shaded terrain covered with thick leaf litter in Mesua-Shorea community, lowland tropical rain forest, Sinharaja MAB reserve, Sri Lanka.

Photograph by Champika Bandara.

FIGURE 4. Habit of A. & D. Thismia gardneriana B. & E. Burmannia championii C. & F. Aphyllorchis montana.

Photographs by Champika Bandara.

     

Champika Bandara, Theja Priyankara, Anusha G. Atthanagoda, Tithira Lakkana, Sisira Ediriweera and Pankaj Kumar. 2020. Gastrodia gunatillekeorum (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), A New Species from A Lowland Rainforest of Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa. 436(1); 55–62. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.436.1.5

Researchgate.net/publication/339953923_Gastrodia_gunatillekeorum_a_new_species_from_a_lowland_rainforest_of_Sri_Lanka

news.mongabay.com/2020/05/from-a-sri-lankan-rainforest-a-new-species-of-orchid-blooms

    

    

[Herpetology • 2020] Bolitoglossa copinhorum • Integrative Systematic Revision of Bolitoglossa celaque (Caudata: Plethodontidae), with A New Species from the Lenca Highlands of Honduras

Bolitoglossa copinhorum

Itgen, Sessions, Wilson & Townsend, 2020

DOI: 10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-19-00001.1 

twitter.com/ItgenM

  facebook.com/JosiahTownsend

 Abstract

The diversity of the tropical climbing salamander genus Bolitoglossa (Magnadigita) in Honduras has been underestimated historically, with 11 new species having been described in the past quarter-century. Bolitoglossa celaque is known to occur in three disjunct mountain ranges across the Lenca Highlands region of southwestern Honduras, and previous studies have independently demonstrated differences in mitochondrial genealogy and genome size between populations to the east and west of the Mejocote–San Juan Depression. Sampling from all three mountain ranges represented two genetically distinct clades: one associated with the vicinity of the type locality, Montaña de Celaque, and the second consisting of several eastern populations from the departments of Intibucá and La Paz. Distinctiveness of these two clades was further investigated and supported by analyses of morphological variation, geometric morphometrics of foot morphology, and comparative osteology. Based on congruent signals from each line of evidence, we restrict the taxon B. celaque to Montaña de Celaque and describe the eastern populations as a new species of Bolitoglossa.

KEYWORDS: Bolitoglossa copinhorum sp. nov., Chortís Block, comparative morphology, Geomorphic morphometrics, Integrative taxonomy, montane forests, Nuclear Central America, osteology, phylogenetics

Holotype adult male Bolitoglossa copinhorum (CM 163182) from Refugio de Vida Silvestre Mixcure, Intibuca;
 (A) details of head and anterior portion of body in lateral view; (B) dorsolateral view of entire body; and (C) dorsal and ventral aspects of the preserved holotype specimen.

Variation in Bolitoglossa copinhorum:
(A) an adult male from San Pedro La Loma (CM 170771); (B) an adult male from the Sierra de Opalaca, Intibuca (CM 170752);
(C) an adult female from San Pedro La Loma (CM 170770); (D) a juvenile from the Sierra de Opalaca, Intibuca.

Habitat at other localities where Bolitoglossa copinhorum occurs:
(A) Zacate Blanco, (B) San Pedro la Loma, (C) Agua Negra in the nuclear zone of Opalaca, (D) San Pedro La Loma, (E) Guajiquiro, Departamento de La Paz.

Type locality of Bolitoglossa copinhorum; Refugio de Vida Silvestre Mixcure, 2150 m elevation, Departamento de Intibuca, Honduras;
 (A) Mixcure, west of El Rodeo; (B–C) forest interior at Mixcure, west of El Rodeo.

     

Michael W. Itgen, Stanley K. Sessions, Larry David Wilson and Josiah H. Townsend.  2020. Integrative Systematic Revision of Bolitoglossa celaque (Caudata: Plethodontidae), with A New Species from the Lenca Highlands of Honduras. Herpetological Monographs. 33(1); 48-70. DOI: 10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-19-00001.1  

 twitter.com/ItgenM/status/1238617508803776512

  facebook.com/JosiahTownsend/posts/10117121321052181

        

[Botany • 2020] Kaempferia albiflora (Zingiberaceae) เปราะแมงมุม • A New Species from Northern Thailand

Kaempferia albiflora Jenjitt. & Ruchis.

in Jenjittikul & Ruchisansakun, 2020. 

เปราะแมงมุม ||  DOI: 10.1007/s12225-020-9868-4 

 facebook.com/SarojRuchisansakun

PlantScience.SC.Mahidol.ac.th
photos: N. Nopporncharoenkul

Summary

Kaempferia albiflora Jenjitt. & Ruchis., a new species from Northern Thailand, is described. It is similar to K. grandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt. but differs in having erect, lanceolate to elliptic leaves, lobes of the labellum with a rounded apex, and a trilobed anther crest, whereas K. grandifolia has broadly ovate leaves appressed to the ground, lobes of the labellum with an acuminate apex, and a trilobed anther crest.

Key Words: Endangered species, Northern Thailand, precocious flowering, Protanthium, Tak Province

photo: Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul 

Kaempferia albiflora Jenjitt. & Ruchis. sp. nov.

 

RECOGNITION. This species is most similar to Kaempferia grandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt. in its inflorescence appearing before the vegetative parts and its white flower with a yellowish patch at the base, but differs in having erect, lanceolate to elliptic leaves, lobes of the labellum with a rounded apex, and a trilobed anther crest, whereas K. grandifolia has broadly ovate leaves appressed to the ground, lobes of the labellum with an acuminate apex, and a bilobed anther crest (Table 1).

Thaya Jenjittikul and Saroj Ruchisansakun. 2020. Kaempferia albiflora (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Kew Bulletin. 75; 13. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-020-9868-4

facebook.com/SarojRuchisansakun/posts/10157170546317897

facebook.com/iSIRBOOM/posts/3371721702857598

facebook.com/iSIRBOOM/posts/3204074222955681

PlantScience.SC.Mahidol.ac.th/?p=4073

Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul, Woranuch Laongsri and Thaya Jenjittikul. 2020. Two New Species of Kaempferia subgenus Protanthium (Zingiberaceae) from northern Thailand. Nordic Journal of Botany. 38(2): e02633. DOI: 10.1111/njb.02633 

[Botany • 2019] Magnolia frontinoensis (Magnoliaceae) • A New Species from Cordillera Occidental, Colombia

Magnolia frontinoensis Cogollo, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna

in Cogollo-Pacheco, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna-González, 2019.

DOI: 10.1007/s12228-018-9554-0

Abstract

A new species of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae), from Antioquia Province, Colombia is described. Magnolia frontinoensis, only known from a restricted area of the Western Cordillera, from 1700–1940 m, is recognized by the lamina bases decurrent and revolute, and the fruits small (11.7–29 × 8.4–21.5 mm). Besides the new species, two new records for Colombia are presented: Magnolia gloriensis, initially known to be found in Central America, from Nicaragua to Panama, it is now recorded in the Pacific region of Colombia. Also, M. venezuelensis, only known from the type collection in Venezuela [Lara region], is now recorded in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. With these new records, the number of Magnolia species in Colombia increases to 38.

Keywords: Dugandiodendron, Panama, National Natural Park Las Orquídeas, Talauma, Venezuela 

Magnolia frontinoensis Cogollo, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna, sp nov.

Etymology. — The specific epithet is dedicated to the municipality of Frontino (Antioquia), where this species was collected with flowers for the first time in 1987 and 25 years later, it was found with fruits.

Álvaro Cogollo-Pacheco, Saúl E. Hoyos-Gómez and Marcela Serna-González. 2019. Una nueva especie y otros registros de Magnoliaceae para Colombia [A New Species and Other Records of Magnoliaceae for Colombia]. Brittonia. 71(1); 32–38.  DOI: 10.1007/s12228-018-9554-0

Researchgate.net/publication/330251166_Una_nueva_especie_y_otros_registros_de_Magnoliaceae_para_Colombia

Resumen: Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) del departamento de Antioquia, Colombia. Magnolia frontinoensis, conocida solo de un área restringida de la Cordillera Occidental, entre 1700–2000 m. Se distingue por presentar la base de la lámina foliar decurrente y revoluta, y los frutos pequeños (1.15–3 cm de largo, 0.8–2.15 cm de diámetro). Adicionalmente, se presentan dos nuevos registros para Colombia: Magnolia gloriensis, especie distribuida en Centro América, desde Nicaragua hasta Panamá, ahora registrada para la región del Pacífico colombiano y M. venezuelensis, conocida solo de la colección tipo de Venezuela [región de Lara], colectada en la Cordillera Oriental de Colombia. Con estos nuevos registros, asciende a 38 el número de especies de Magnolia para Colombia.

Palabras claves: Dugandiodendron, Panamá, Parque Nacional Natural Las Orquídeas, Talauma, Venezuela

[Entomology • 2020] Haplaxius dougwalshi • A New Species of Planthopper in the Genus Haplaxius (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae) on Palms in Costa Rica

Haplaxius dougwalshi

Bahder, Barrantes, Echavarria, Mou, Helmick & Bartlett, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4767.4.4 

Abstract

The genus Haplaxius is a large taxon of cixiid planthoppers that is of economic importance due to the ability of Haplaxius crudus to transmit lethal yellowing in coconut palms. Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. is established as a new taxon of Cixiidae in the tribe Oecleini collected from native palms in lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. Placement in the genus Haplaxius is supported both by molecular evidence based on the COI and 18S genes as well as by morphological characters. This novel taxon was discovered during survey work in Costa Rica to look for phytoplasmas and document planthopper diversity on palms. Furthermore, Haplaxius skarphion was also collected from coconut palms during survey work and is reported for the first time in Costa Rica.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Cixiidae, taxonomy, DNA barcoding, planthopper, palm, Costa Rica

Figure 1. Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. habitat/host (A–B) and in vivo (C–D).

Systematics

Family Cixiidae Spinola 1839

Subfamily Cixiinae Spinola 1839

Tribe Oecleini Muir 1922

Type genus: Oecleus Stål 1862

Genus Haplaxius Fowler 1904

Type species: Haplaxius laevis Fowler 1904

Figure 2. Adult habitus  Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n.; (A) body dorsal view male (B) body lateral male, scale = 1 mm.
Figure 3. Adult  Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n.; (A) male head frontal view, (B) male head, pronotum, and mesonotum dorsal view (C) male head, pronotum, and mesonotum lateral view, scale = 1 mm.

 Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. 

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by a combination of bright orange coloration, facial color pattern of an orange frons with white arch traversing width of frons resulting in a trapezoidal shape dorsad of frontoclypeal suture, large, incurved processes on lateral margins of the pygofer and aedeagus with curved spine near midlength of shaft.

Plant associations. Pata de gallo palm (Asterogyne martiana), Arecaceae. 

Distribution. Costa Rica (Heredia, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui) 

Etymology. The specific name given is an honorarium in reference to the lead authors professor and chair during graduate school (Ph.D.), Dr. Doug Walsh at Washington State University, who’s signature mustache resembles the color pattern observed on the frons of the novel taxon.

 Brian W. Bahder, Edwin A. Barrantes, Marco A. Z. Echavarria, De-fen Mou, Ericka E. Helmick & Charles R. Bartlett. 2020. A New Species of Planthopper in the Genus Haplaxius (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae) on Palms in Costa Rica and A New Country Record for Haplaxius skarphion. Zootaxa. 4767(4); 543–552. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4767.4.4

Resumen: Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. fue recolectada en palmeras nativas en el bosque lluvioso tropical en las tierras bajas de Costa Rica y se establece como un nuevo taxón de la familia Cixiidae de la tribu Oecleini. La clasificación de esta especie dentro del género Haplaxius se basa tanto en la evidencia molecular aportada por los genes COI y 18S; así como en los caracteres morfológicos de la misma. Este nuevo taxón fue descubierto durante un trabajo de investigación que se está llevando a cabo en Costa Rica, el cual tiene como objetivo principal la evaluación de la ocurrencia de fitoplasmas y la documentación de la diversidad de chicharritas en las palmeras. 

Palabras clave: Cixiidae, taxonomía, código de barras de AND, chicharrita, palmera, Costa Rica

[Arachnida • 2020] Desis jiaxiangi • First Report of the Spider Genus Desis (Araneae, Desidae) from China, with Description of A New Species

Desis jiaxiangi Lin, Li & Chen, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4755.3.11
Photograph by Zixuan Lin. 

The spider genus Desis Walckenaer, 1837 is the type genus of the spider family Desidae Pocock, 1895. Desis spiders hide in silk sacs between rocks or shells during high tide and forage during low tide (Baehr et al. 2017). Four Desis species have been recorded from Asia: Desis gardineri Pocock, 1904 (India), Desis inermis Gravely, 1927 (India), Desis japonica Yaginuma, 1956 (Japan) and Desis martensi L. Koch, 1872 (Malaysia) (World Spider Catalog 2020). Until now, only one species of the family Desidae, Badumna tangae Zhu, Zhang & Yang, 2006, has been reported from China (Zhu et al. 2006). Here, we describe a new species of Desis and report the genus from China for the first time.

Figure 4. Desis jiaxiangi, live holotype male.

Photograph by Zixuan Lin.

Desis jiaxiangi sp. nov. 

Etymology. The species is named after Mr Jiaxiang Wu, the collector of the holotype; noun (name) in genitive case.

Yejie Lin, Shuqiang Li and Haifeng Chen. 2020. First Report of the Spider Genus Desis (Araneae, Desidae) from China, with Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4755(3); 593–597. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4755.3.11

[Herpetology • 2020] Trimeresurus caudornatus • A New Pit Viper of the Genus Trimeresurus (Lacépède, 1804) (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwest China

Trimeresurus caudornatus Chen, Ding, Vogel & Shi

in  Chen, Yu, Vogel, ... et Chen, 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.1.7 

amphibiachina.org

Abstract

The white-lipped tree viper, Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, is one of the most common species of the genus Trimeresurus with a wide distribution from India eastwards to China and southwards to Indonesia. However, this species was previously split into five geographical clades with significant genetic divergence. Recent surveys in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China resulted in the discovery of one cryptic species of the subgenus Trimeresurus. Combining molecular, morphological and ecological data, we describe it as a new species Trimeresurus caudornatus sp. nov. The new species differs from other Trimeresurus species by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) Head and body generally dark green, postocular stripes absent in both genders, upper labials light green; (2) ventrolateral stripe faint green yellow, present on the first row of DSR in both genders; (3) iris golden yellow in both genders; (4) dorsal tail mostly dark red, lateral and ventral green; an orange red stripe along the ventral part of the tail; (5) DSR 21/22 –21–15, VEN 161–163, SC 52–72; (6) first upper labial partially fused to the nasal. The new species was shown to be a strongly supported monophyletic group (BPP 100%) and sister to T. septentrionalis. The uncorrected pairwise distances of mitochondrial gene Cytb between the new species and other species of the subgenus Trimeresurus, ranging from 0.059 (T. septentrionalis) to 0.134 (T. kanburiensis).

Keywords: Reptilia, Trimeresurus caudornatus sp. nov., Viperidae, morphology, molecular phylogenetics

Trimeresurus caudornatus sp. nov. Chen, Ding, Vogel & Shi,  

 Zening Chen, Jianping Yu, Gernot Vogel, Shengchao Shi, Zhaobin Song, Yezhong Tang, Jia Yang, Li Ding and Cangsong Chen. 2020. A New Pit Viper of the Genus Trimeresurus (Lacépède, 1804) (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwest China. Zootaxa. 4768(1); 112–128. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.1.7

我国云南再发现竹叶青属一新种——饰尾竹叶青

 amphibiachina.org/news/scientifictrends/181-2020-04-03-10-20-40